AVNation TV

Category: Lighting

  • SAVI iQ Unites Audio, Video, and Lighting Control to Redefine Venue Integration at Puttshack Minneapolis

    SAVI iQ Unites Audio, Video, and Lighting Control to Redefine Venue Integration at Puttshack Minneapolis

    Puttshack is rewriting the rules of contemporary venue-based entertainment with its one-of-its-kind, upscale tech-infused mini-golf game, powered by proprietary Trackball technology. Founded in London, England in 2018, Puttshack is rapidly expanding into a global entertainment powerhouse with locations across the UK and North America.

    In today’s competitive entertainment landscape, the solutions that power guest experience often come with a hidden cost. The more immersive and technology-driven the venue, the higher the demand – and for operators balancing tight margins, those system costs can quickly erode profitability. Until recently, there was little that could be done to reduce consumption without dimming the impact: high-voltage infrastructure was simply the price of creating atmosphere. That equation changed with the arrival of the QoraLux™ Low-Voltage Lighting Platform from SAVI iQ, whose control and automation technology has already redefined how venues automate and manage AV systems.

    By applying that spirit of intelligent design to lighting, SAVI made it possible to deliver the high-impact visual experiences guests expect, while dramatically cutting power draw, installation complexity, and long-term operating costs.

    So, when Puttshack prepared to open its new 29,000-square-foot Minneapolis venue in the fall of 2025, it faced that same challenge: how to deliver a high-energy, visually striking experience without the high-voltage overhead. The lighting design was initially drawn up around a conventional 277-volt system, reflecting the approach used across other locations. But as construction costs rose and sustainability targets tightened, the brief evolved to preserve the design team’s creative intent and signature lighting effects while achieving them with simpler infrastructure, lower power demand, and seamless integration across lighting, audio, and video systems.

    Working with the SAVI iQ team, Puttshack re-evaluated the original high-voltage specification against a low-voltage alternative built on SAVI QoraLux™, a power-over-category (PoC) lighting platform that carries both power and control over standard Cat cable. What began as a lighting rethink quickly expanded into a full audio-video-lighting (AVL) integration, all centrally managed through the SAVI platform. The result achieved the same dramatic visual impact the designers envisioned, while eliminating the conduit farms, panel rooms, and high-voltage coordination that had complicated previous builds and laying the foundation for a new generation of smarter and more profitable Puttshack venues.

    Puttshack Minneapolis consequently marked the brand’s first full-venue deployment of SAVI QoraLux, encompassing 101 lighting zones and 588 loads.

    Lighting as Creative Core

    Puttshack’s venues are defined by their layered, theatrical lighting, from the soft ambience of the main bar to the color-rich accents that bring each mini-golf course to life. The creative brief demanded a nuanced, highly zoned environment that could shift seamlessly between everyday operation and special-event settings.

    SAVI QoraLux enables full-spectrum RGBWW color tuning, allowing staff to re-theme courses, lounges, and dining areas with a few taps: washing rooms in Coca-Cola red for a buyout, turning the venue emerald for St Patrick’s Day, or dialing in subtle ambers to complement interior finishes.

    “What makes SAVI QoraLux so powerful for designers is that it removes the old electrical constraints without sacrificing nuance,” said Derek Wilson, SAVI’s Chief Strategy Officer. “You get micro-zone control, smooth dimming, and rich RGBWW rendering, all on low-voltage cabling. It’s a single, coherent ecosystem rather than a patchwork of panels, drivers, and third-party interfaces.”

    “Lighting has always been the last, most complicated piece to integrate and unify in a large entertainment build,” added Byron Baird, General Manager of SAVI Commercial. “QoraLux changes that equation. You get precise zoning and cinematic, full-spectrum color at scale, while stripping out the heavy electrical infrastructure that slows projects and inflates costs. For Puttshack Minneapolis, we honored the designer’s intent with a system that installs faster, uses less power, and is dramatically easier to operate day-to-day.”

    Measurable Performance and Savings

    During the design phase, the team modeled a direct comparison between a conventional 277-volt high-voltage scheme and a low-voltage SAVI QoraLux alternative of identical scale. The difference was measurable at every stage. The fixture package showed a 43% reduction, while installation costs saved 45%.

    In operation, the model showed total draw dropping from 188,357 watts to 54,400 watts, a 71% improvement for lighting alone across the year. The entire load now runs on just eight standard 20-amp circuits, with all other power and control travelling over Cat back to the drivers and controllers neatly housed in the AV rack.

    Beyond the modelling, the real-world results proved even more compelling. Compared with Puttshack venues built using high-voltage fixtures, the low-voltage design delivered close to $500,000 in combined fixture and installation savings, while also reducing upstream switchgear demand by roughly 200 amps. The shift not only simplified electrical coordination but also underscored how a purpose-built PoC system could achieve the same visual impact at a fraction of the cost and complexity.

    Efficient Construction, Controlled Costs

    Previous Puttshack builds often wrestled with long panel lead times, conduit coordination across multiple trades, and ampacity upgrades that could ripple through the entire construction schedule. By shifting to low voltage, the Minneapolis team eliminated many of those dependencies. The design replaced hundreds of outlets with simple Cat runs, reduced field labor, and simplified inspection.

    “QoraLux let us keep the aesthetics and lighting effects our designers specified, but it removed layers of field complexity that historically put pressure on our schedule,” said Dominic Crespo, VP of Design & Construction at Puttshack. “We didn’t need big panel rooms or miles of conduit, and that simplified the hand-offs between trades. The result was a cleaner build, fewer points of failure, and a clearer path to opening on time.”

    “We asked for a higher-tech, lower-cost lighting system without diminishing the guest experience,” Crespo added. “The SAVI team helped us get there by cutting fixture and installation costs dramatically and simplifying service costs down the road.”

    Unified Control & Automation

    While lighting led the project, the full advantage came from bringing audio, video, digital signage and lighting under one unified control environment powered by SAVI.

    “In other venues, we have to juggle three or four different user interfaces just to manage lighting, audio, video, and signage,” said Cory Lovern, Technology Project Manager at Puttshack. “Historically, each system had its own workflow, which made even simple changes more time-consuming than they needed to be. With SAVI, everything now lives together in one place. From virtually any device, we can adjust the lighting, change the music, or manage video playback. It’s faster, far more intuitive for the team, and it keeps the vibe consistent across the entire venue.”

    Integration is the backbone of the project, traversing audio, video, lighting, and control (AVLC), including the venue’s entire LG commercial display network powered by SAVI Canvas. Because SAVI Canvas runs natively on LG webOS displays, no external media players or control processors are required to deliver the desired content to each screen. This direct integration eliminates latency, simplifies configuration, and enables real-time synchronization between video, lighting, and audio cues across the venue.

    The LG webOS display mix includes a range of sizes and functions, from 32-inch touch displays to 75-inch models. This creates a visually unified digital signage ecosystem powered entirely by SAVI Canvas, capable of everything from menu boards and brand takeovers to synchronized ambient visuals that reinforce the overall guest experience.

    For Puttshack staff, that translates to faster responsiveness, fewer points of failure, and a seamless, app-like control experience that mirrors the polish of the guest environment itself.

    “Having SAVI as a single control interface has completely changed the way we think about managing our venues,” Lovern added. “In previous builds, our teams had to learn and maintain several separate systems; two (0-10v & DMX) for lighting, another for audio/video, another for digital signage. It works, but it isn’t seamless. In Minneapolis, all of that now comes together. From a tablet or a phone, we can set the lighting, music, and video to create the exact mood we want for any event. The whole environment feels coordinated and intentional, and it’s easy for new staff to learn because the interface is intuitive and consistent across everything we do.”

    A Blueprint for Future Venues

    With Minneapolis serving as a proof point, Puttshack is incorporating the same architecture into all new builds and evaluating selective retrofits for existing locations. For operations and design teams alike, the combination of both low- and-high-voltage QoraLux Lighting Solutions and SAVI’s unified control system has set a new baseline for what smart venue infrastructure means, merging creative freedom with measurable efficiency.

    “QoraLux is the low-voltage solution with high-voltage impact,” Crespo said. “We kept the artistry and gained a simpler, leaner build. What’s exciting is that it doesn’t just look great, it also changes how we plan and deliver future projects. We’ve proven that you can achieve the same atmosphere and visual energy our brand is known for, but with less wiring, fewer trades, and far greater control. That’s a big win for our design and construction teams, and for operations once the doors open.”

    The experience in Minneapolis has also reinforced how technology partnerships can shape design thinking long before a venue breaks ground. By involving SAVI early, Puttshack was able to collapse layers of complexity, align creative and technical priorities, and set a foundation for a new generation of smarter, more connected entertainment spaces.

    “Puttshack embraced an entirely new way of thinking about venue lighting,” concluded Baird. “They saw the opportunity not just to save money or streamline installation, but to build a smarter, more adaptive environment that connects lighting, audio, and video into one cohesive ecosystem. It’s a forward-looking approach that gives them flexibility today and a clear path for growth tomorrow, a model that’s already informing the design of future venues.”

    The Connected Guest Experience

    For guests, the result is effortless immersion. Every light, display, and sound cue now plays in sync, all coordinated through the SAVI platform, turning each hole, bar, and booth into part of a coordinated show. As Puttshack expands, its AVLC strategy ensures that what happens behind the scenes, in cables, servers, and software, directly enhances what visitors feel in the space: precision, energy, and play, all working as one.

  • elektraLite Shines the Spotlight on New Stingray Mini IP65 at LDI 2025

    elektraLite Shines the Spotlight on New Stingray Mini IP65 at LDI 2025

    elektraLite has expanded its popular Stingray Mini lighting line with the launch of the new weather-resistant Stingray Mini IP65 at LDI 2025. Designed for both indoor and outdoor environments, the upgraded fixtures now come in 30-watt and 80-watt power options, offering stronger performance while maintaining the compact size professionals love.

    Built with marine-grade durability and silent cooling, the new models support multiple color temperatures, interchangeable zoom lenses, and advanced control options like DMX and RDM. With features such as precision shuttering, gobo support, and a removable power supply, the Stingray Mini IP65 delivers professional-level lighting for stages, retail spaces, signage, and theme parks, rain or shine.

    From its launch in 2018, elektraLite’s compact ellipsoidal Stingray Mini was an immediate hit as a 20-watt profile spot fixture for everything from museums to corporate events to shows. Now, the company has introduced a weather-resistant version in two power configurations – 30-watt and 80-watt – making the new Stingray Mini IP65 an ideal choice for any lighting application, indoors or outside.

    “Many of our customers have really loved the compact form factor and performance of our original Stingray Mini, so we’ve expanded the range with new models for even more versatility options,” says Brandon Tsaptsinos, Group One Limited’s national sales manager for the elektraLite brand. “The IP65-rated versions are perfectly suited for everything from theatrical and retail environments to outdoor signage and theme parks, and their higher wattages and precision camera lensing deliver truly pro-grade operation, rain or shine.”

    Boasting a brilliant CRI of 95 or greater, the new 30-watt and 80-watt models each utilize a single-source COB LED module as their light engine, and both are available in Warm White (3000K), Cool White (5000K), Variable White (2700-6600K), and RGBW versions. Fixtures are equipped with interchangeable photographic-quality zoom lenses, offering a choice of 15º to 30º or 25º to 50º beam spreads, and feature camera manual rotary control for precise and fully-adjustable focusing.

    Housed in marine-grade aluminum chassis, both new models are IP65 rated and fanless with a convection fin-cooled rear design for silently venting heat away. Fixtures can be controlled via DMX or set for manual operation, and all fixtures have Remote Device Management (RDM), selectable control of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), and selectable dimming algorithms for incandescent, log, or linear operation.

    A four-piece shutter assembly allows for perfect cuts, and there is also a gobo slot for custom gobos, plus a double-slot for optional accessories (gel/color frame, filters, hi-hats, etc.). Products are shipped with a 10-foot extension cable allowing the quick-release power supply to be remotely located, and an optional 45-foot extension model is also available.

    Remarkably compact, the 30-watt Stingray Mini IP65 measures only 15-3/4″ L (397.5mm) by 7-7/8″ W (172.5mm) by 4-1/4″ H (102.5mm), and weighs a mere five pounds (2.2kg). The 80-watt version features a slightly larger size at 15-3/4″ L (399mm) by 8″ W (203mm) by 5″ H (127mm), weighing nine pounds (4kg).

  • Illuminating the Path: The Art of Compromise in Lighting Design

    Illuminating the Path: The Art of Compromise in Lighting Design

    In the ever-evolving world of home technology integration, lighting design stands out as a field where artistry meets functionality. A recent discussion on Resiweek with host Matt Scott of Omega Audio Video, Jeremy Glowacki of Residential Tech Today, and Rich Fregosa of Fregosa Design sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in this space, particularly when it comes to working with builders and homeowners.

    Click here to listen to the entire conversation on ResiWeek Episode 439

    Managing the Balance

    The conversation, sparked by an opinion piece by David Warfel in CE Pro, delves into the delicate balance required to create exceptional lighting designs within the constraints of time, budget, and builder preferences. As Matt Scott points out, “Lighting is vital; lighting design is not.” This distinction sets the stage for a complex negotiation between integrators, builders, and clients.

    Jeremy Glowacki highlights a crucial point: there’s a difference between lighting design and the quality of light itself. “Lighting design is one thing and just the quality of light is another thing,” he explains. “You can have a lighting design which is very intricate with layers and levels and artwork being highlighted… but the quality of light just alone, if all you were doing was putting can lighting in with higher quality LED, is an improvement over what your typical builders are putting in still to this day.”

    This observation underscores a persistent issue in the industry: the prevalence of basic, often inadequate lighting solutions in new home construction. Glowacki references a common industry joke, “4 cans and a fan,” describing the typical bare-bones lighting setup in a family room. This approach, while expedient for builders, falls short of creating a truly inviting and functional living space.

    Value of Lighting Design

    The challenge, then, lies in educating both builders and homeowners about the value of thoughtful lighting design. As Glowacki notes, “Getting the buy-in from the homeowner themselves is really important. Really explaining what the quality of light differences are.” This education process is crucial, as it helps justify the premium often associated with superior lighting solutions.

    However, even with client buy-in, integrators face the hurdle of working alongside other professionals in the construction process. Rich Fregosa emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “This is all about learning how to play in the sandbox.” He cautions against the “cowboy” mentality some low-voltage contractors bring to projects, insisting on their way without considering the broader context of the build.

    Instead, Fregosa advocates for a more nuanced approach: “You have to be more willing to be heard than to be right.” This philosophy acknowledges that each project involves numerous negotiations and considerations beyond just the lighting design. The key, he suggests, is finding the right balance between standing firm on crucial aspects of the design and being flexible enough to work within the project’s constraints.

    Compromise is Key

    This idea of compromise is central to David Warfel’s original article, as discussed by the panel. Far from being a sign of defeat, compromise in lighting design is about making “educated, value-driven decisions,” as Fregosa puts it. It’s about understanding which aspects of the design are non-negotiable and where there’s room for flexibility.

    One intriguing point raised in the discussion is the tendency for project photographs to be taken during the day, often at “golden hour” when natural light is at its most flattering. Matt Scott argues that a well-designed lighting system should make a space look “as good at night as it does during golden hour.” This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for lighting designers to showcase their skills in creating ambient environments that shine 24/7.

    Regular People Lighting

    The conversation also touches on the importance of avoiding extremes in residential lighting design. Scott humorously notes, “I see a lot of, especially from our industry, designs that look like nightclubs, which is not how the majority of people outside of Miami want to live.” The goal, he suggests, is to “create beautiful interiors with light at a semi-obtainable price point that again, the builders will not fight as much over.”

    Achieving this balance requires more than just technical skill; it demands effective communication and persuasion. Fregosa emphasizes the power of visual evidence in making a case for quality lighting design: “If you’re trying to sell lighting and you do not have a portfolio of what lighting looks like in a space, even just the photo of a couple of different settings in a room, how are you going to explain lighting to somebody?”

    He encourages integrators to leverage modern tools, such as AR simulations provided by fixture manufacturers, to help clients visualize the impact of different lighting designs. This approach can bridge the gap between abstract concepts and tangible benefits, making it easier for clients and builders to understand the value of investing in superior lighting solutions.

    Creating Experiences

    Ultimately, the discussion underscores that success in lighting design, much like other aspects of home technology integration, hinges on the ability to balance technical expertise with interpersonal skills. It’s about creating designs that not only illuminate spaces but also illuminate the imagination of clients and builders alike.

    As the industry continues to evolve, the path forward seems clear: education, collaboration, and a willingness to find creative compromises will be key to elevating the standard of lighting design in residential construction. By striking this balance, integrators can hope to create spaces that truly shine, both in the golden hour of day and the depths of night, enhancing the lives of homeowners and setting new standards for what’s possible in home lighting.

    In the words of Rich Fregosa, “If you want to sell something that you feel is what you do the best, and you’re the best in the region for X, Y, Z, then have the tools and the evidence that support it.” With this approach, lighting designers can illuminate not just homes, but the entire industry, one thoughtful compromise at a time.

  • Vantage Lighting Controls Promotes Lighting Fixture and Keypad Alliances at Lightapalooza 2024

    Vantage Lighting Controls Promotes Lighting Fixture and Keypad Alliances at Lightapalooza 2024

    Legrand, a specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, offers innovative, sustainable solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential markets, achieving €8.0 billion in 2022 sales.

    Legrand’s Vantage has announced partnerships with manufacturers Aculux, Q-Tran, and Black Nova to join its lighting fixture and keypad alliances. These alliances aim to offer greater design freedom and seamless integration for AV installers, interior designers, architects, and home design professionals using Vantage lighting control.

    The partnerships with these manufacturers expand Vantage’s offerings and support its mission of providing design freedom and integration ease to professionals in the AV and home design industries. This collaboration enhances the Vantage experience by ensuring compatibility, functionality, and streamlined control for residential lighting solutions.

    Legrand’s Vantage is excited to announce that it is working with the following manufacturers to soon join Vantage’s lighting fixture and keypad alliances: Aculux, Q-Tran, and Black Nova. Vantage’s Lighting Fixture and Keypad alliances serve to partner with leading light fixture and keypad manufacturers to provide AV installers, interior designers, architects, and other home design professionals with greater freedom of design and more seamless integration with Vantage lighting control.

    “Design without limitations and integration without hardship is what defines the Vantage experience,” said Rob Doherty, Director of Business Development, Shading Systems | Vantage, Legrand North America. “We continue to partner with leading lighting and keypad manufacturers to make this mission possible. Our alliances provide designers and integrators alike with the best experience for the exploding growth in residential lighting.”

    Vantage’s Light Fixture Alliance was developed to provide numerous benefits: freedom of design, fixture testing, and calibrated CCT alignment. Installers or designers can choose the fixtures they want with the peace of mind of knowing that the lighting design will come to life as planned and that every fixture being supported by Vantage will have full functionality. Vantage tests every fixture and creates tunable profiles to take the guesswork out of control as part of its LHUMAN KolorTune profile library. The alliance continues to grow and includes AiSPiRE by WAC Lighting, Circa Lighting, Colorbeam, DMF Lighting, Environmental Lights, LF Illumination, Lucetta by Elemental LED, Lucifer Lighting Company, Noº 8 Lighting, Proluxe by American Lighting, PureEdge Lighting, Soraa Lighting, Specialty Lighting Industries, Tech Lighting by Visual Comfort Co., and WAC Lighting.

    Programming the keypads is simple using the latest version of Vantage’s Design Center software. The intuitive nature of Design Center allows Vantage dealers to provide a complete solution for any home’s needs. With Design Center, partner keypads can utilize the same lighting control programming as Vantage keypads to meet the needs of any project. The Keypad Alliance members include Basalte, Forbes & Lomax, and Meljac.

     

  • Blackwire Designs Unveils Groundbreaking Updates to Blacklight Linear Lighting Design Software

    Blackwire Designs Unveils Groundbreaking Updates to Blacklight Linear Lighting Design Software

    Blackwire Designs, founded in 2009 by former integrators, is a distributor in the custom installation industry. Based in Phoenix, they use integrated software to provide exceptional sales and systems support to dealers worldwide, assisting customers in finding the right products and software.

    Blackwire Designs has announced significant updates to its Blacklight Linear Lighting Design Software, aimed at simplifying the design and specification process for linear lighting systems. These updates include Control4 integration, auto-DMX configuration, a new DMX report, an enhanced Fixture Edit Panel, and an expanded partner ecosystem.

    The updates aim to empower designers and integrators to create stunning lighting systems more efficiently and accurately. By automating complex processes and integrating with Control4, Blacklight simplifies design and installation, reducing errors and costly mistakes, and accelerating project completion. These updates reinforce Blacklight’s position as an indispensable tool for professionals in the custom installation and Pro AV markets.

    Blackwire Designs, a leading distributor in the custom installation and Pro AV markets, today announced a series of significant updates to its award-winning Blacklight Linear Lighting Design Software. These updates introduce revolutionary features that further simplify the design and specification process for linear lighting systems, reinforcing Blacklight’s position as an indispensable tool for designers and integrators.

    “Our goal is to empower designers and integrators to create stunning lighting systems with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy,” said Cody Crossland, national sales manager at Blackwire. “By automating complex processes like DMX configuration and integrating with Control4, we’re not just simplifying the design and installation process — we’re redefining it. These transformative updates to Blacklight represent a leap forward in our commitment to innovation, ease of use, and excellence.”

    Blacklight has already made waves in the industry by simplifying the traditionally complex process of designing and specifying linear lighting systems and taking home a CEDIA Expo 2023 Best New Product Award. Available for free to all Blackwire customers, the software enables users to easily import floorplans; outline each fixture; and promptly organize, configure, price, and produce a purchase order and accurate install reports for the bespoke lighting system design. With these latest updates, Blackwire continues to not only simplify the jobs of designers, purchasers, and programmers, but also benefit integrators by enabling faster completion of projects with fewer errors and costly mistakes.

    Key Updates to Blacklight Design Tool:

    • Control4 Integration and Auto-Config: In a groundbreaking industry first, Blacklight now integrates with Control4 systems via Blackwire’s Grape Box DMX Bridge. By simply pasting a unique import code into the Grape Box driver, users can add DMX lighting devices to a Control4 system automatically. Pre-programming of LED types, DMX channels, and fixture naming is also handled automatically, significantly accelerating project installations.
    • Auto DMX Configuration and Channel Layout: Blacklight now automates the configuration of DMX channel mappings for each fixture within a system, dramatically reducing the complexity of specifying DMX-controlled lighting. This feature also allows integrators to customize settings while providing alerts for any potential errors, ensuring a seamless design process.
    • New DMX Report: A comprehensive DMX report is now available, detailing all DMX-configured fixtures and highlighting any configuration errors. This invaluable tool aids installers in quickly referencing DMX settings on-site, streamlining the installation process.
    • New Fixture Edit Panel: The introduction of an enhanced Fixture Edit Panel offers a more detailed view of each fixture, enabling designers to easily modify control methods or swap out tape light products across all fixture segments with a single click. This update also simplifies adjustments to power supplies, controllers, and accessories, making the design process far more efficient.
    • Expanded Partner Ecosystem: Blackwire is adding even more products from Pure Edge, Wiz Pro, and Shelly to Blacklight’s extensive database, all of which will be made available for one-click purchasing from the company website via the software platform. Additionally, select products from Lucetta Ci and Lumini — Blackwire’s two newest partners — will soon be added to Blacklight, further enhancing the range of options available to designers.

     

  • DMF Lighting Announces Artafex, a Custom Integrator Exclusive Line

    DMF Lighting Announces Artafex, a Custom Integrator Exclusive Line

    DMF offers innovative lighting technology with exceptional performance, quality, and flexibility. Their award-winning LED lights provide accurate color rendering, smooth dimming, and low power consumption, enhancing room aesthetics and energy efficiency.

    DMF Lighting has introduced the Artafex line, a new series of indoor and outdoor lighting solutions exclusively for enhancing the customer experience. This line includes 2-inch and 4-inch modules, premium trims, flangeless housings, and outdoor lighting options. The Artafex modules feature True Spectrum™ technology for superior color rendering.

    The Artafex line aims to provide custom integrators with advanced technology and versatile options to meet the demands of the CI channel. It incorporates True Spectrum™ technology, efficient optics, and premium trim offerings to simplify installation processes and enhance aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the outdoor lighting system is designed to elevate residential landscapes with durable, high-performance fixtures.

    DMF Lighting, the leader in modular downlighting in the custom integration channel, today announced the launch of Artafex, the new product line of indoor and outdoor solutions exclusive to DMF’s CI channel integrators. Making its official debut at Lightapalooza 2024, Diamond Sponsor DMF Lighting is replacing the iX Series and DID Series for custom integrator modules with the Artafex line that now includes 2-inch and 4-inch modules, premium trims, flangeless housings, and select outdoor lighting options. The Artafex 2-inch line replaces the iX Series and the Artafex 4-inch line will complement the DID Series in the short term. Artafex modules will feature DMF’s premium color rendering technology, True Spectrum™.

    “We felt the timing of Lightapalooza 2024 was right for unveiling the new Artafex line of indoor and outdoor products that feature the most advanced technology exclusive to custom integrators, underscoring our continued investment in the CI channel,” said Andy Wakefield, Senior Vice President, DMF Lighting. “The Artafex line incorporates the exclusive True Spectrum technology, more efficient optics, and additional trim offerings including Hyperbolic and Pinhole options. The demand for differentiation in the CI channel is critical and the Artafex line offers unprecedented and industry-leading versatility with superior aesthetic options purpose-built to simplify the installation process.”

    Bringing Brilliance Home
    Lighting is more than just brightness; it’s about capturing the true essence of color and creating spaces that resonate with authenticity.

    The True Spectrum™ technology for all Artafex line modules goes beyond the eight color samples that traditional Color Rendering Index (CRI) considers. True Spectrum™ considers the TM-30 system of measurement, which studies 99 variations of light that aren’t typically represented in CRI, to provide industry-leading color rendering and richness.

    Now the artwork and finishes that were so carefully selected in the home will be able to reach their full potential beauty.

    Artafex modules featuring True Spectrum™ will be available to order on the portal, effective Feb. 28.

    New 2-Inch Optics and Hyperbolic and Pinhole Trims
    The 2-inch Artafex modules will utilize new cross beam TIR optics that are uniquely designed with two main features: light rays are focused at the trim opening and then diverge to cover the room. The center of the optic is recessed to reduce glare, and moving the focal area near the ceiling allows most of the light rays to pass through the small aperture of a pinhole trim. This produces high efficacy, maximum light output, and minimum clipping of the light. The new optics provide proper flood or ambient lighting and minimal glare for a comfortable living space, even with traditionally challenging pinhole trims.

    Artafex premium trims are offered in Micro Flange and Flangeless options. They feature premium materials, finishes, and performance. The brass trims are machined from solid blocks of brass 360 billet and, in addition to providing a beautiful aesthetic, they also reduce glare.

    Artafex flangeless housing has been designed to simplify the flangeless mudding process dramatically. The dedicated flangeless housings can be installed using conventional drywall taping techniques to achieve a Level 5 finish.

    The Artafex Outdoor Lighting System includes hand-selected outdoor lighting fixtures designed to elevate residential landscapes, making them the perfect choice for discerning integrators, designers, and homeowners. Painting with light to focus attention and to accentuate the natural beauty of the great outdoors elevates the everyday experience of a homeowner’s backyard. Fixtures are designed to see the light, not the fixture. The light quality and projection go further. The low-field angle reflector design puts light where it’s wanted and eliminates hot spots near mounting. Fully adjustable Glare Shield provides additional shielding and focus control.

    The intelligent design of the flexible swivel/lock system provides maximum rotation for exceptional adjustability and durability. The modular LED engine and lamp design ensures lights can easily change and adapt to any outdoor environment. Thoughtfully designed weep holes keep standing water and debris from affecting the performance. They’re easy to open and service, and they stay watertight.

    With premium materials and years of design expertise, DMF lights withstand environmental effects and the test of time for lifelong performance. Machined from solid aircraft grade (6061-T6) corrosion-resistant aluminum, they are then anodized and powder coated to create a highly durable, marine-grade finish that is IP67 rated for water immersion and dust protection. Every fixture is tested before shipment for water tightness and light quality.

    Integrators, designers, and homeowners can choose from Accent and Landscape applications, including Path and Bollard and Flood and Wall Wash options.

     

  • Snap One To Highlight Vibrant Linear Lighting, DALI/Control4 Integration and New Halo Features at Lightapalooza 2024

    Snap One To Highlight Vibrant Linear Lighting, DALI/Control4 Integration and New Halo Features at Lightapalooza 2024

    Snap One, a smart living technology manufacturer and distributor, offers entertainment, connectivity, automation, and security solutions to residential and commercial users worldwide. It provides software, support, and digital workflow tools to integrator partners.

    Snap One is showcasing its latest lighting solutions at Lightapalooza 2024, including a DALI lighting demo and training session where attendees can learn to design, install, and integrate DALI lighting solutions through Control4 with the new Edidio DALI gateway. Control4 is highlighting its Vibrant Linear Lighting series of LED solutions, centralized control options, contemporary keypads, and faceplates.

    Snap One aims to demonstrate the powerful integration capabilities of DALI lighting with Control4 systems, providing industry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to satisfy clients and maximize opportunities. The Vibrant Linear Lighting series offers customizable LED options for sophisticated lighting experiences, catering to both Control4 and non-Control4 smart home systems. Control4’s presence at Lightapalooza underscores its commitment to innovation and education in the lighting and automation industry.

    Snap One, the industry leading manufacturer and distributor of smart living technology, is showcasing its latest lighting solutions at Lightapalooza 2024, including a DALI lighting demo and training session where show attendees can learn to design, install and integrate DALI lighting solutions through Control4 with the new Edidio DALI gateway. The show takes place in Glendale, Arizona February 26-29, 2024 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa.

    In addition to demonstrating the powerful DALI integration capabilities within Control4, the Control4 Booth #105 is also highlighting the creative possibilities enabled through the Control4® Vibrant® Linear Lighting series of LED lighting solutions, the simple centralized control offered by Control4 and its Halo remotes, and the array of chic, design-friendly Contemporary keypads and faceplates. Attendees can visit the booth to discuss products, solutions and opportunities with Control4’s lighting and automation experts, who are dedicated to helping grow lighting capabilities and sales.

    “For the third year in a row, Lightapalooza is demonstrating the growing importance of lighting in custom integration projects, and Control4 is committed to providing industry pros with the knowledge, skills and solutions they need to satisfy today’s clients and maximize opportunities,” Nick Meloni, Product Marketing Manager at Snap One said. “Our at-booth simple DMX and DALI control demo with popular lighting manufacturers showcase Control4 as a more powerful lighting partner for integrators of all sizes to deliver innovative, modern solutions to their clients.”

    Control4’s Vibrant Linear Lighting provides Control4 Partners with a complete line of controllable LED tape that offers fixed color in a variety of temperatures, warm dim, tunable white, RGBW, and RGB + tunable white options, along with all the accessories needed to create sophisticated lighting experiences. Partners can design complex lighting scenes that are activated by the press of a button, a voice command, a pre-programmed schedule or even circadian lighting schedules that complement and mimic natural lighting throughout the day.

    In addition to personalized experiences, the Vibrant Linear Lighting line is designed to ensure a simple and professional-looking installation, which is achieved through aluminum extrusions for mounting, translucent lenses to soften and diffuse light and Zigbee, DMX or DALI integration options that provide reliable control of color and lighting temperature settings for those without a smart home system such as Control4.

    For those projects and clients that do include a Control4 smart home system, Control4 is also demonstrating the instant control capabilities of its Halo remotes, which offer one-touch access to all connected smart home systems. With Halo remotes, users can cater each room’s lighting to their preference instantly without needing to open an app or locate a wall switch. A home’s entire lighting system, including colored LED strip lighting, outdoor fixtures, security lighting and even pool lights can be integrated through Control4.

    Attendees can register for the show and Control4’s DALI-focused educational session on Wednesday 2/28. The session, titled Dali is a Snap with Control4, teaches integrators and technicians how to utilize the new Edidio DALI gateway to integrate DALI lighting solutions with Control4, including instruction on software setup, physical installation and the ability to combine lighting fixtures from different manufacturers.

    Control4 experts will be on hand to discuss the new advantages of the Enhanced Lights Page and Daylighting options in Control4 OS 3.4. In addition to the Vibrant Linear Lighting and Control4 automation products, visitors to the Control4 booth can experience and learn about the Control4 Halo family of remote controls, wireless Zigbee pucks and new metal faceplate options for contemporary style keypads.

     

  • Coastal Source Demos World’s First Ketra-Ready Outdoor Light Fixture at Lightapalooza 2024

    Coastal Source Demos World’s First Ketra-Ready Outdoor Light Fixture at Lightapalooza 2024

    Coastal Source, with over 60 years of experience, offers high-performance outdoor audio and lighting solutions, ensuring reliability and environmental testing for real-world problems.

    Coastal Source is showcasing innovative outdoor lighting fixtures, including the Ketra Ready Modulus Bullet Light compatible with Ketra LED lamps and the EVO Lighting Series, at Lightapalooza 2024. These products offer increased functionality, customization, and high-quality lighting for outdoor spaces.

    Coastal Source’s latest offerings underscore their dedication to enhancing the customer experience through innovation and partnership. The Ketra Ready Modulus Bullet Light seamlessly merges Coastal Source’s sophisticated design with Ketra’s advanced environmental lighting technology, empowering outdoor lighting designers and installers to craft tailored and controllable outdoor atmospheres. Meanwhile, the EVO Lighting Series further solidifies Coastal Source’s position at the forefront of the low voltage outdoor lighting sector, delivering personalized lighting solutions tailored to both residential and commercial settings.

    Coastal Source, the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance outdoor lighting fixtures and audio systems that Defy the Elements™, is demonstrating the world’s first Ketra-compatible outdoor light fixture, the Ketra Ready Modulus Bullet Light, alongside its new EVO Lighting Series of modular fixtures at Lightapalooza 2024 in Booth #604 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa from Feb. 26-29, 2024.

    According to Coastal Source Vice President of Sales Jon Bowman, the new products on display highlight the company’s commitment to innovating and collaborating on transformative solutions to increase opportunities and capabilities for outdoor lighting designers and installers.

    “As lighting has diversified into broader lines of purpose-built fixtures, Coastal Source remains at the forefront of innovation by engineering cutting-edge products that offer increased functionality and customization for all types of outdoor lighting needs,” Bowman said. “The solid brass Ketra Ready Modulus Bullet Light is our latest creation, combining the elegant designs of Coastal Source fixtures with the amazing environmental lighting capabilities of Lutron’s Ketra LED lamps and color control software.”

    The UL-approved 120VAC Ketra Ready fixture was developed in collaboration with Lutron, the maker of Ketra lamps. The commercial-grade solid brass fixture is specifically designed to use the Ketra full-spectrum E26 or E25 S30 LED lamp to bring the highest quality light to any outdoor space. With convenient app-based control of each lamp’s color temperature from 1,400K to 10,000K and brightness up to 1050 lumens, lighting designers can provide clients with customizable and controllable outdoor experiences. Ketra lamps are only available through the Ketra Qualified Dealer network.

    “Additionally, Coastal Source’s EVO Lighting Series on display at Lightapaloooza reaffirm our commitment to lead the low voltage outdoor lighting industry and help our partners grow their opportunities,” Bowman added. “With the launch of our EVO Lighting Series this year, outdoor lighting professionals will be able to offer clients the most customized lighting solutions available for any residential or commercial application.”

    The modular EVO Lighting Series combines heightened design aesthetics and elegance with an extensive selection of forms and customizations to optimally light any space. The custom designed integrated LED light module is 50% smaller than a traditional MR16 fixture but has a higher lumen output and a wider beam angle of the much larger MR16. With a wider selection of newly designed shrouds, hats, lenses, finishes, and accessories, Lighting Designers can custom design 100s of unique fixtures to solve any outdoor lighting need. And, for the first time ever, Coastal Source will introduce 6 unique LED modules in the EVO Lighting Series including directional and 360-degree fixtures as well as a tunable white module that is controlled by a custom APP.

     

  • Blackwire Designs Shines Bright at Lightapalooza 2024 With Award-Winning Blacklight Design Tool

    Blackwire Designs Shines Bright at Lightapalooza 2024 With Award-Winning Blacklight Design Tool

    Blackwire Designs, founded in 2009 by former integrators, is a unique distributor in the custom installation industry, utilizing integrated software for sales and systems support, ensuring smooth business operations.

    Blackwire Designs will showcase its innovative Blacklight Design Tool at the Lightapalooza 2024 trade show in Glendale, Arizona. The tool, which won awards at CEDIA Expo 2023, will be featured in manufacturer training sessions aimed at teaching attendees how to design, configure, price, and install custom linear lighting systems.

    The purpose is to highlight Blackwire’s achievements and expertise in lighting control solutions, particularly focusing on the benefits of the Blacklight Design Tool for integrators. The training sessions aim to educate industry professionals on how to utilize the tool to save time, improve efficiency, reduce errors, and lower costs on projects, ultimately demonstrating its value to potential customers.

    Blackwire Designs, a leading distributor in the custom installation and Pro AV markets, today announced it is set to showcase the company’s innovative, value-added solutions and expertise at the Lightapalooza 2024 trade show in Glendale, Arizona, Feb. 26-29. The spotlight will be on Blackwire’s Blacklight Design Tool — recipient of the CEDIA Best New Software Product Award and a Best of Show Award from Residential Systems during the CEDIA Expo 2023 — during two manufacturer training sessions, where attendees will learn how to design, configure, price, and install custom linear lighting systems with the aid of this integrator-friendly, comprehensive design software.

    “Last year was truly the banner year for Blackwire’s lighting control solutions, marked by the successful introduction of the Blacklight Design Tool at CEDIA Expo 2023, where it received rave reviews and clinched multiple awards,” said Cody Crossland, national sales manager at Blackwire Designs. “We are eager to share our achievements and expertise at Lightapalooza 2024, where we look forward to engaging with industry professionals who value cutting-edge lighting solutions. Join our training sessions to explore how you can save time, improve efficiency, reduce errors, and lower costs on your projects by using Blacklight’s many intuitive capabilities.”

    Titled “Hands-on Blacklight: A New Linear Lighting Design Tool for Custom Integrators,” the manufacturer training sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to noon and Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 5-6 p.m. The sessions aim to demystify the process of linear LED lighting design and specification using Blackwire’s Blacklight Design Tool.

    Developed by integrators for integrators, the Blacklight Design Tool allows users to effortlessly import floorplans, sketch out each fixture, and swiftly arrange, configure, price, and generate a purchase order and error-free install reports for the custom lighting system design. An exclusive offering available at no additional cost to all Blackwire customers, the tool not only streamlines the entire design process but also handles electrical calculations with built-in error correction, reducing the risk of costly mistakes. Attendees of the training sessions will gain valuable insights into how Blacklight transforms linear LED lighting design — saving time, improving efficiency, reducing errors, and lowering costs on projects.

     

  • Sycamore Landscape Design Build Creates Intimate Outdoor Spaces with Coastal Source Lights and Speakers that Defy the Elements

    Sycamore Landscape Design Build Creates Intimate Outdoor Spaces with Coastal Source Lights and Speakers that Defy the Elements

    Landscape lighting and outdoor audio is often an afterthought for homeowners, but for one owner in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, it was always top of mind.

    According to Justin Braley, owner of Sycamore Landscape Design Build this project dubbed “The Octagon House” was driven by the client’s enthusiasm and excitement to reinvigorate his outdoor spaces with high performance, professionally-designed Coastal Source lighting and audio zones that provide precisely adjustable environments from an intimate dinner setting to a party atmosphere.

    “As a landscape designer and installer, I know that, because Coastal Source is focused on perfecting the outdoor environment, their lights and speakers will not only defy the elements, but also exceed my clients’ highest expectations for high-quality outdoor audio and aesthetics that can withstand everything Mother Nature throws at them,” Justin said. “Product quality and pristine craftsmanship were top priorities for the Octagon House owner, who was on board with using the best, most reliable and trusted outdoor components to ensure long-lasting performance, including four zones of audio that can play independent sources simultaneously or play a single source for a yard-wide solution. These requirements meant Coastal Source was a natural fit.”

    Using a variety of products, the multi-phase project added attractive, intimate lighting to accentuate the property’s unique zones including the driveway, outdoor kitchen, outdoor stone fireplace, stone walkways, wooded areas, and layered gardens, as well as seating areas. The combination of Coastal Source’s path lights, well lights, wash lights, lip lights, bullet lights, nose lights, FLEX Niche lights and LED tiki torches provides a resort-style feel where every step is a little more dramatic and exciting.

    The lighting and audio project took place in three phases in coordination with the expansion of the home’s outdoor spaces, and involved coordination with masonry contractors and other trades. Still, the most significant outside influence was actually Coastal Source itself, with Justin tapping the manufacturer’s professional design team for help creating desirable spaces that are optimized for lighting and audio performance.

    “When this project started, I was an outdoor lighting expert, but I didn’t have a lot of experience with designing outdoor audio solutions,” Justin explained. “Luckily Coastal Source had my back not only with product recommendations and promo materials to show the client, but also through their design team that helped me select and position the speakers for maximum coverage and quality. Most impressive, however, was the personal service they provided when they sent a demo van outfitted with all sorts of lights and speakers to show my client the real-world appearance, feel and output of the products without requiring a visit to a completed project.”

    Like many custom installations, while the Octagon House project is technically complete, it may not necessarily be finished. Through Coastal Source’s patented innovations including single-wire connections with foolproof, weatherproof connectors, expanding both the lighting and audio systems is easy and fast, as well as relocating existing items due to landscape changes, growing bushes, or updated client desires.

    The four audio zones for the Back Patio, Courtyard, Outdoor Fireplace and Firepit grace the yard with audiophile-quality sound using Coastal Source’s 3-Way and 2-Way speakers, bollard subwoofers, CAS & SAS outdoor amplifiers and Sonos® Ports. This system design enables the owners to control the audio from their mobile devices through the familiar Sonos app, which they commonly use inside the home. Sonos compatibility was a key selling point for the owners who above all else wanted everything to be super easy to use.

    “As one of my first audio projects, the design and setup assistance I received from Coastal Source was critical to achieving full area coverage and integration with Sonos,” Justin added. “Combine all of these benefits with Coastal Source’s warranties and all of a sudden any prior sticker shock evaporates. I always liked the concept of painting with light to breathe new life into outdoor spaces, and working with sound adds another element to the experiences I can provide.”

    Many of the home’s outdoor lights are controlled by ambient light sensors that keep them off during the day and on at night, while some in the backyard can be controlled via a Lutron RadioRA whole house integration system through a mobile app or wall-mounted Lutron light switches.

    “By creating a high-performance system that’s easy to install, easy to use, super reliable and compatible with leading third-party wireless solutions, Coastal Source has made it easy for me to expand from lighting into audio and grow my business and capabilities,” Justin said. “Where other brands might seem like a jumble of transformers and wires, this is a coordinated, fully fleshed-out system that ensures there are no weak links to interrupt the enjoyment my clients experience every day and for years to come.